Expert Pick of the Week: 2022 Sam F. Davis Stakes

Feb 10, 2022 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An overflow field of 13 sophomores will vie in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. The 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby event will reward the top four finishers with qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 structure toward the Run for the Roses on May 7.

The Jonathan Thomas-trained Kitten Mischief received a difficult post in the 12 slot for his stakes debut, but the son of Into Mischief has been impressive from a pair of one-turn races to date, and I expect him to thrive while making his two-turn debut against this well-matched field. The intriguing prospect is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Kitten Mischief made his first appearance at Aqueduct on Nov. 21 in an off-the-turf maiden special weight tilt, and the gelding registered a game tally over a nice juvenile. He earned an 87 Brisnet Speed number for his work, and that figure increased to 90 when he was a clear second in an allowance heat at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 9. The bay has displayed tactical foot combined with a strong closing punch from his pair of lifetime tries to date, which gives me the impression of a three-year-old who will move forward as the distances increase.

Kentucky-bred shows two solid drills in preparation for his stakes bow, and if jockey Manny Franco can give the sophomore a sensible trip into the first turn, then I envision him to be rounding up to the leaders nearing the turn for home before inching clear late.

Classic Causeway dominated at first asking at Saratoga prior to placing in both the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) to conclude his solid two-year-old campaign. The chestnut colt is working in good fashion in anticipation of his seasonal bow, and he has a lot of appeal with Irad Ortiz taking the reins.

Street Sense S. victor Howling Time led early before tiring in the Kentucky Jockey Club for Dale Romans, but the top prospect will improve off that performance in his three-year-old debut. The Not This Time colt possesses a big turn of foot, and he signaled his readiness for Saturday with a recent bullet morning move. Regular rider Joe Talamo will guide the stalker.

An exacta with #12 Kitten Mischief on top of #3 Classic Causeway and #9 Howling Time in the Sam F. Davis is the Best Bet of the Week.